My Very Favorite Holiday
On 11/01/2020, Barbara Anne said ...
Hope you had a Happy Halloween including some well deserved sweet treats. We had no trick or treaters but have had none in the 19 years we've lived lived here because the houses are too far from the street.
Love the Halloween picture!
Hugs!
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While. my Merry Maid was here, I got the "Mommy & Me" backing constructed (photo above). It's all ready now to take to the quilter. As soon as the fabric comes in tor the millefiori quilt backing, I'll make a trip to Lena's.
We fared Hurricane Zeta fine. A few trees down around town, but none on my lot. Just a lot of leaves. We got a lot of rain and some awesome wind, but old Zeta didn't stay around long. She was a fast mover. Jesse had the generator all checked out and ready to go, but we didn't need it. Never lost electricity.
I made me and Jesse a late lunch of spaghetti with meat sauce and cheesy garlic bread. Now I'm going to take a long hot soak in the jacuzzi and make it an early night to bed. I'm still tired from staying up most of the night Wednesday night for the hurricane watch.
On 10/30/2020, Barbara Anne said ...
What a wonderful backing you've made for your cheerful Mommy and Me elephant quilt!
Hope the backing fabric arrives promptly for Millifiori.
What great news that Zeta went by with no major problems for you and your household. I was concerned you'd lost power because so many, many others have.
Hugs!
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Baby Sage's quilt top is finished.
Mommy & Me
The name patch will be part of the backing, which I have been working on today.
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We're under a tropical storm warning for tonight. Looks like we might be in for a good blow this time. Weather people tell us to expect many downed trees and widespread power outages.
Jesse has gone to get gasoline for the generator.
Be safe, everyone.
On 10/29/2020, Barbara Anne said ...
I love the Baby Elephant top and the name you've pieced for the backing. Does this cute quilt remind you of the three baby elephants in the old movie "Hatari?"
Hope Zata didn't didn't harm your home or area. It's passing over us now and has been just loves of rain and more wind than I'm happy with. After Hurricane Isobel in 2004, we were without electricity for 9 days. No fun!
Hugs!
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I got a lot done on Baby Sage's elephant quilt this weekend. The above photo shows a little of what I did. If I really put my back into it (yeah, well, maybe not my back), I think I could finish the top today. But as things go these days, that might not happen. But sometime this week for sure. There really isn't much left to do.
Remember this fabric (photo above) that I bought when I had only just started on the millefiori quilt? I thought it the perfect fabric to back the quilt. Well, it doesn't work. I can't make it work. The quilt top is so wide, 90 inches, that even two widths won't cover the back, but three widths (which I don't even have enough yardage to do that) would be way too much. That's vertically. Horizontally, maybe, but for that I don't have enough yardage either, and I don't think I would like how it looks. I could add another fabric on the edges. But I don't think I would like how that looks either. Finally I just gave up and ordered another, more simple, fabric for the backing (see photo below). It's 108 inches wide, so I don't have to piece it. And I think I'm going to like it a lot. I hope the daisy outlines are visible enough that you can see that they sort of mimic some of the design in the quilt top.
I'll come up with something to use the colorful fabric for. Just don't know what that might be yet.
It has been a somewhat sad and shocking weekend. I learned of the deaths of a cousin and a dear friend. My cousin had already been buried when I learned of her passing. My friend John's funeral is this week at the funeral home. Not sure if I'll risk the virus and go or just send flowers and cards to his wife and daughter.
All right, folks, I'm burning daylight, so it's off to the sewing room with me.
On 10/26/2020, Barbara Anne said ...
Love the elephants and admire your speedy progress on this delightful quilt! Don't push yourself to complete the top if the effort will cause you to be miserable in the days ahead.
Love to jazzy fabric you'd planned to use for the Millefiori quilt's backing and am sorry it cannot be made to fit. The new 108" fabric is lovely and will be a good substitute. Have you thought about having this quilt quilted with a variegated thread on the bobbin to add colors to the back?
My sympathy in the loss of your cousin and your good friend. Given your age and health problems, your friend's family will understand if you don't go to the funeral.
Hugs!
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Today I got all of the Elephant quilt cut out, except the elephants and balloons. Tomorrow, I plan to finish cutting and start sewing.
After working in the sewing room, I did some work in the kitchen--cooked beef tips and rice, corn, and northern beans. It is with a full tummy that I'll be watching the third game of the World Series (L.A. Dodgers vs. Tampa Bay Rays). Currently the series is tied, at one game each. Go Dodgers.
I have enjoyed baseball ever since I was a child and used to watch the games with my daddy on Saturday afternoon. We were Yankees fans then. But since I've been an adult, it's been National League all the way, especially the Atlanta Braves. The Braves almost made it to the series this year, missed by one run to the Dodgers. They haven't been since 1999. I don't know what happened.
I feel so much like I've contracted a sinus infection. I'm taking Musinex, drinking lots of water and hot drinks, and trying to wish it away. I do not want to go to the doctor. But it might come to that.
On 10/23/2020, Barbara Anne said ...
Well done if getting most of the elephant quilt parts cut our and I hope finishing the cutting is a delight! This quilt is going to be so very cute, even without the rick-rack!
Don't wait too long to contact your doctor as sinus infections can turn ugly and even dangerous if ignored for too long
I'm about to start sewing labels on my 5 little Christmas Star wall quilts - and it's still October!!
Hugs!
On 10/23/2020, Barbara Anne said ...
Please ignore typos. Thanks!
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The pattern for Baby Sage's quilt came in.
My initial plan was to use a pink-and-green color design (green because of her name; pink because she's a girl and I like pink). But now I'm leaning toward pink and grey. I've seen some pink-and-grey baby quilts that are really lovely. So that's probably what I'm going with. It will also go with the elephant theme. I'm not using any rickrack. For some reason, rickrack has never appealed to me.
I sent this fine pachyderm to Mommy Kendell for her baby shower last Saturday. The card also had an elephant on it.
On 10/21/2020, Barbara Anne said ...
The Kendall baby will surely love this giant elephant for years to come! How nice you also found a card with an elephant on it.
The Mommy and Me elephant pattern is too cute! I think your color ideas are perfect for it.
We're just home from early voting and I was pleased to see the process in our county outside Richmond was well organized, socially distanced, masks required, and quick. Hope it is that way nationwide.
Hugs!
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Welcome to Autumn at the Yellow House, our favorite time of year. This year is going to be decidedly different, I'm sure. I don't expect any trick-or-treaters (but I'll have treats ready just in case). We're still cojutating over Halloween chili night, trying to decide if Jesse, Andy, and I can partake of a pot together safely. And I'm sure and positive that Thanksgiving will not be the same. Traditionally, the family has gathered here for our Thanksgiving feast, but we're thinking everyone will be on their own this year. It will be just me and Andy and Jesse (and the critters). But we're looking forward to it anyway--especially Jesse. He looks forward to any occasion that will include chicken and dressing.
I finally got the front porch gussied up a little. Even though the prospect of trick-or-treaters is doubtful, one never knows when The Great Pumpkin or the Sanderson Sisters might fly over. Wouldn't want them to think they aren't welcome in the 'hood.
My friend Maria gave me this wonderful Pumpkin-witch, complete with her broom and chicken on her shoulder.
When I ordered this skeleton, I understood him to be life size. I was planning to dress him up and give him a seat at the dining table. But since he is small, his job is to hang on The Yellow House plaque.
On 10/18/2020, Barbara Anne said ...
How Bootiful!!!!!
Hugs!
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This wonderful hand-painted egg came from a neighbor's yard sale a year or two ago.
This Zoom thing is really catching on. I have attended five Zoom gatherings already this week--and I haven't left the house. It started with church on Sunday, then quilt guild on Monday, book club on Tuesday, family lunch on Wednesday, and Bible study on Wednesday night. I'm ready for a rest.
The weather has really changed here. Very cool nights (almost cold) and nice sunny days. It could be these changes, or just life--but my pain level has hit the ceiling, at least I hope it's the ceiling. Not much sleep and days where I walk around like a crone, when I walk at all. I'm trying to stay as still as possible. And that might not be good either.
I'm anxious to get started on baby Sage's quilt, but my pattern hasn't arrive yet. So I'm using the time to get some reading done. Presently I'm reading The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewel, which I suppose you would call a psychological thriller. Whatever, it's a good book. I'm almost finished with it, and up next is The Third Twin by Ken Follett. But I'm hoping the quilt pattern will be here before I get to Follett.
I've been able to get in some Netflix too. This week it has been "The Haunting of Bly Manor." The series is based loosely on Henry James's classic novel, The Turn of the Screw. Normally, I don't like anybody messing with classics--at least not the ones I like, like James's novel. But this series is so good, I'm okay with the interpretation. I finished it last night, a tear-jerker of an episode for sure. If you like ghost stories (not you, Barbara), you'll probably enjoy this.
Health and safety to you all.
I finally got around to putting out a few Halloween decorations. As some of you no doubt know, Halloween is my very favorite time of year, and the only time of year I like the color orange.
When the kids were home, we always used to carve a Jack-o-lantern. I haven’t done that for years now, although Cait and Kathryn did carve me one a couple of years ago, the first year they moved back from Providence.
I still have quite a few Jacks to set around, even though they aren’t of the true pumpkin variety. Here’s some of my Autumn treasures. If you’ve read my blog for a while, you’ve probably seen most of them.
My Pumpkin Head, made by Kathryn Pollnak
My friend Greta knitted my Carol from the book Where the Wild Things Are.
I got this wonderful hand-made witch in a Halloween swap I participated in several years ago. Unfortunately, I can no longer remember the name of the woman who made her.
One of my Autumn quilts hangs over a chair in the dining room.
“Trick or Tree,” made by me
My sister Joanne (Rest in Peace) made this Halloween Cats quilt from a Georgia Bonesteel pattern. She gave it to me as a Christmas present years ago.
Skipper and I like to cuddle under our Halloween cuddle quilt and watch scary movies this time of year.
I don’t remember where I got this candle topper.
Hey Barbara, do you recognize the mini quilt under the jeweled spiders?
This is the first Autumn quilt I made, and the one that took the longest to finish. I started it in 1980 and finished it in 1991. All these leaves are hand appliquéd with hand embroidered stems. It’s called “Endless Autumn” because I took so long making it.
A fabric pumpkin from a friend.
When Angela was a teenager, she and I took a trip one Autumn to the North Georgia mountains. That’s where I got this terra cotta Jack, which I have always loved.
Mini Jacks
I made this fabric Jack-O-Lantern in about 1994.
Some books and a mini-quilt inherited from sister Joanne.
On 10/14/2020, Barbara Anne said ...
What great Halloween decorations you have!! Love the various autumn and Halloween quilts and yes, I recognize the mini-quilt under the jeweled spiders!
I'll put up my few Halloween decorations tomorrow, on the 15th, and this year I hope to find the box with more decorations that I hid from myself a couple of years ago. Bother!
Hugs!
On 10/14/2020, Barbara Anne said ...
Oh, and Z&L already have hung their Trick or Tree wall quilt I made for them from the pattern you most kindly sent to me! Thanks again for that. :)
More hugs!
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There is not one spot in this house where I can photograph this entire top. As Jesse says, I have too much stuff. It’s all in the way.
But there it is, the best shot I can get. The top is finished. I still have to stitch up the backing before taking it to Lena. I hope I have enough fabric for the back. I never dreamed this quilt was going to turn out as large as it is.
It turns out my next project will be a baby quilt for a niece whose baby is expected in January--a girl named Sage. I have a design picked out and fabric selections sort of. But the fabrics could change. I’m going to put her name somewhere on it. I love her name, Sage Birdsong. Isn’t that pretty?
After guild zoom meeting this morning, I have lots of other ideas for charity projects I want to get done. Too many ideas, too little time. And I also have lots of books on my reading list, which I have paid little attention to while making the millefiori quilt.
I still haven’t titled the millefiori quilt, but i have some ideas: Summer Dance, Summer Swing, Pirouette, Promenade, Do-Si-Do. The design that I based this quilt on is called La Passacaglia, which is Italian for "the dance." That’s why I’m thinking dance terms for a title.
Other ideas that have run through my are are Spin Cycle, Fireworks, Movement, Cloisonne. Anybody else have any suggestions?
On 10/12/2020, Sherri C said ...
Name it "The Dance" like the Garth Brooks song.
On 10/12/2020, Anne said ...
Absolutely gorgeous! What an accomplishment for you.
On 10/12/2020, Nancy Morey said ...
A real masterpiece! One I would never attempt, but admire the fortitude it took to complete.
On 10/12/2020, Kathy said ...
What a wonderful accomplishment! Your quilt is amazing and you should be very proud!
On 10/13/2020, Barbara Anne said ...
OH! Standing ovation of applause and more applause! What a glorious quilt and I think the flowers in the border were a brilliant addition!!
How about calling it "Phantasmagoria" or "Tripping the Light Fantastic"?
Big hugs!
On 10/13/2020, Karen said ...
How about Murano, after the island off Venice where they make the glass? It's a beautiful quilt.
On 10/14/2020, Denise in PA said ...
Your La Pas is stunning! I think I've got three rosettes done and I won't say how many years it's been in progress - LOL. I love the name Pirouette! Brava!
On 10/15/2020, Pat said ...
This is beautiful. Congratulations on all your hard work!
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After Zoom church yesterday, I made a pot of creamy chicken and wild rice soup and a bowl of pasta salad. They were both yummy. I love soup this time of year.
This morning, I did Zoom quilt bee and nothing since. But I’m about to get up and warm up the leftover soup and have some lunch.
Last night I watched “Great Lord Bird” on Showtime. We had read the book in my book club, so naturally I wanted to watch the series. After the first episode, I can say it’s even better than the book. It’s about abolitionist John Brown.
The weather is gorgeous here. I wish I could still take daily walks like I used to. I love to be out in the autumn weather. Jesse has started taking Skipper on walks since I can no longer do it. They’re both loving it.
Have a great week, everyone.
On 10/05/2020, JAMES CAGE said ...
I may subscribe to Showtime next. I would like to see GLB.
That soup looks amazing.
On 10/07/2020, Barbara Anne said ...
The soup looks yummy! Is the recipe posted with your other recipes? Hope so!
It's also soup weather here as our daily high temperatures have been in the mid-60s*F to the mid-70s*F (except tomorrow when it's forecast to be 80*F) and the nighttimes are wonderfully chilly.
I'm on the binding for my 5 little Christmas Star quilts!!
Hugs!
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